BISHKEK -- Four alleged associates of a reputed Kyrgyz crime boss have been detained.
Police in Kyrgyzstan's southern region of Jalal-Abad told RFE/RL on January 7 that they had detained a 31-year-old local man suspected of being a member of a gang headed by Kamchybek Kolbaev.
Meanwhile, police in northern Talas Province said three local residents have been arrested for their alleged links to Kolbaev’s organized crime group.
Kolbaev was extradited from the United Arab Emirates in 2012 and is currently on trial in Bishkek.
He has been charged with kidnapping, robbery, organization of a criminal group, drug trafficking, and illegal weapons possession.
In 2011, the United States added the 39-year-old Kolbaev to a list of major global drug-trafficking suspects.
Kyrgyz authorities say Kolbaev had ties with relatives of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who fled under public pressure in April 2010.
Police in Kyrgyzstan's southern region of Jalal-Abad told RFE/RL on January 7 that they had detained a 31-year-old local man suspected of being a member of a gang headed by Kamchybek Kolbaev.
Meanwhile, police in northern Talas Province said three local residents have been arrested for their alleged links to Kolbaev’s organized crime group.
Kolbaev was extradited from the United Arab Emirates in 2012 and is currently on trial in Bishkek.
He has been charged with kidnapping, robbery, organization of a criminal group, drug trafficking, and illegal weapons possession.
In 2011, the United States added the 39-year-old Kolbaev to a list of major global drug-trafficking suspects.
Kyrgyz authorities say Kolbaev had ties with relatives of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who fled under public pressure in April 2010.